Agenda Profile: Ester Karuse
Chair implementation
2025-09-04
15th Riigikogu, extraordinary session of the Riigikogu
Political Position
The political position strongly focuses on ensuring the accessibility of vital services and education, especially in regional centers. The stance is policy-driven, emphasizing that the state must intervene and direct banks to maintain socially necessary services outside of Tallinn. The speaker criticizes the government for its inaction and for contradictory education policies that extend compulsory schooling while simultaneously closing upper secondary schools.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The expertise has been clearly demonstrated in the fields of regional policy and education, bringing forth specific examples and data. Knowledge regarding banking services is specific (Valga and Põlva counties, the closure of Swedbank and SEB branches). Educational topics delve deeply into the competition for gymnasium places, restrictions on vocational education, and the negative consequences of basic school mathematics exams in Valga.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The speaker's style is serious, concerned, and urgent, employing strong emotional appeals that focus on the stress and injustice faced by the elderly and the young. Simultaneously, the arguments are supported by specific facts and figures (e.g., 12,000 residents in Valga). Dramatic phrases are used, such as "an unhealthily intense and exhausting struggle" and "access to secondary education must not be a lottery."
4 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker is proactive, submitting multiple formal inquiries to ministers within a short timeframe (May and June 2025). This pattern of activity indicates a focus on highlighting specific issues and following up on earlier questions to keep those topics in the spotlight.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The criticism is aimed at government ministers (the Minister of Regional Affairs and Agriculture, the Minister of Education and Research Kristina Kallas) for their inaction and ineffective solutions. Private corporations (banks) are criticized for prioritizing pure business logic over socially necessary services. The criticism is policy-based and performance-based.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
There is insufficient information.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The regional focus is very strong, concentrating on the regions of South Estonia, particularly Valga and Põlva counties. The town of Valga is highlighted as a negative example regarding both the lack of banking services and poor basic school exam results. While the education crisis is addressed as a nationwide issue, regional examples remain front and center.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Economic perspectives stress the need for state intervention to guarantee the accessibility of vital services, even when banks operate as private enterprises. Banking is viewed as a socially necessary service, indicating a preference for service availability over purely market logic, especially within the context of regional development.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The main social issues are access to education and social inclusion. Emphasis is placed on the need for in-person banking services for the elderly and people with mobility issues. Additionally, focus is placed on the mental well-being of young people who suffer due to the competitive nature of high school admissions and exam failures, which leads to stress and low self-esteem.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is on submitting interpellations, which serve as Parliament's tool for holding ministers accountable and keeping key issues in the spotlight. The goal is to compel the government to seek solutions for regional problems and the ongoing education crisis, and to gain a comprehensive overview of the situation.
4 Speeches Analyzed